Good afternoon,
One of the state’s more mysterious economic developments is TIIF – the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund.
Simply stated, TIIF makes road investments for projects that create or preserve jobs.
The program, passed by the General Assembly, came after input from the business community indicated that Delaware lacked the incentives department.
Business input also contributed to a restructuring of the Delaware Economic Development Office and the formation of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, a private entity that gets funding from the state and businesses.
The DPP caught some heat from the media in the early going over a lack of transparency and possible conflicts of interest when private funding is used.
To date, the partnership can point to several success stories. It’s also worth noting that DPP’s work was previously performed by the Economic Development Office under conditions of confidentiality.
Concerns have also surfaced about the TIIF program, which uses a public, private panel to recommend developments eligible for funding.
Transportation funding allocations will always be controversial since the need for improvements far exceeds available funding.
A controversial project approved by the TIIF panel last month was a proposed one million square foot warehouse development in the Pencader area south of Newark.
The site happens to be within a sprawling area where the Battle of Cooches Bridge was fought during the American Revolution.
Those devoted to studying the state’s history want to make sure that archeological work takes place at the site that has already been marred by continued development.
The battle is cloaked in mysteries that include the final resting places of those who died.
Likely to come in second on the controversy scale is a previously endorsed $1 million transportation improvement project that will centralize New Castle-based beer Budweiser distributor NKS to site in Smyrna.
According to the TIFF agenda, the new center will create four new jobs and retain more than 130.
The jobs argument is shaky since NKS must have a state under our three-tier alcohol beverage system. In many cases, TIIF grants help surrounding areas.
You can find more information on TIIF actions from an agenda that is available here.
Enjoy a weekend that will bring rain, but thankfully no snow. – Doug Rainey, chief content officer.
